Algeria reopens eastern Sahara for tourists

The Algerian Ministry of Tourism has announced new measures to boost Saharan tourism in the country by reopening the eastern part of the Sahara namely this winter, outdoor magazine Trekmag reported.

The agazine reported “a wind of optimism”  after authorities said they hoped to open a number of areas in the east of the Algerian Sahara to tourists, however there are obstacles which are likely to challenge this new optimism. “Since 2010, problems of security and refusal of visas mean that foreign tourism has become the rare bird in the Sahara desert.”

Foreign citizens are usually discouraged from traveling to the Algerian Sahara for security reasons.

The majority of French tourist agencies do not advertise most of Algeria as a holiday destination, Trekmag said.

“Clearly, as long as the south of Algeria is in the red [highlighted as a danger zone], there is no question of moving. Whether in regard to our legal liability, or safety of our customers, it is our policy,” an official from the Allibert travel agency said.

However some agencies still offer tours in the south. “We have never deserted the bond of trust with our local agencies and our local partners. They have nothing to lose or to gain by taking the least risk, too,” according to a representative of the French agency Tamera.

Travel websites such as Easyvoyage, who have described the “incredible potential” of Algeria, are seen as positive news for the Sahara which is often rare to receive. “Clearly, there is something going on on the side of Saharan tourism in Algeria,” Trekmag hopes.

Though Algeria has great potential, it is the visa requirements for foreign nationals that presents a real challenge to tourism. Unnecessarily long and costly, the procedure often forces foreign tourists to give up on visiting the country and to choose more accessible and less expensive destinations.

Algeria generally applies a form of reciprocity in the treatment of visa applicants and ministries are looking into making the visa application procedure easier.